Anglers Pale Ale

November 1, 2005Salt Lake City, UT

Reviewers: Stephen Beaumont

Uinta Brewing Co.
Salt Lake City, UT

Available: UT, VA, MN, ID

Uinta (pronounced “you-in-tah”) Brewing Co. is named for a mountain range in the Rocky Mountains. The brewery has a strong environmental commitment: among other things, it is 100% wind-powered, and 6-pack carriers can be redeemed for Uinta merchandise.

I’m hardly an “outdoor enthusiast,” for whom this ale is supposedly suited, but I’ll give it a shot nonetheless. Its deep copper colour is appealing enough, as is the dry, leafy hop aroma underscored by light caramel malt and apricot notes, and a flavor that balances malty sweetness with citrusy hop bitterness and perhaps just a whiff of roastiness. The finish is the only thing that seems a little out of whack, with the lingering hop dominating utterly. I’d pair this with a nice curry, or maybe the Jamaican dish, escoveitch fish. - Stephen Beaumont

Burnished, light copper color. Wonderful hop aroma coupled with background high notes of malt sweetness. Hop flavor flourishes and then recedes to balanced aftertastes of malt, floral hop character and “I want more” bitterness. Easy drinking pale ale in the classic American tradition. If it has never won an award, it must come close. I'll pay money for this one.- Charlie Papazian

The beer pours with a full hazy honey color and a thin but persistent tan head. The aroma is bready, with earthy hops and a sherry note. Malt and hops hit the palate together, each quite robust. They stay well-matched through the center, which shows a quick flash of fruit. Malt sweetness recedes as the beer dries into a hoppy finish. Both malt and hops linger. A muscular beer with good definition – perfect for a big burger.- Garrett Oliver

Stephen BeaumontStephen Beaumont boarded his first plane at the age of 15 and hasn’t looked back since, obsessing about travel to the point that he gets nervous if he doesn’t have a ticket or two stacked on the corner of his desk. When he’s not running around in search of new taste experiences, he makes his home in Toronto, where a new cultural experience is only as far away as the next neighborhood.

Charlie PapazianAuthor of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.

Garrett OliverInternationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.